Mosque sights in Edirne
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A
Sultan II Bayezid Külliyesi
Standing in splendid isolation north of the centre, this mosque complex was undergoing renovations at the time of writing. Ottoman architect Hayreddin built it for Sultan Bayezid II (r 1481–1512) between 1484 and 1488. In style, the mosque lies midway between the Üç Şerefeli and Selimiye models: its large prayer hall has one large dome, similar to the Selimiye, but it also has a courtyard and fountain, like the earlier Üç Şerefeli. The interior has a rough, almost unfinished feel to it.
The extensive complex includes a tabhane (travellers hostel), bakery, imaret (soup kitchen), tımarhane (asylum), medrese and darüşşifa (hospital).
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Üç Şerefeli Cami
With its four strikingly different minarets, the Üç Şerefeli Cami dominates Hürriyet Meydanı (Freedom Sq). The name refers to the three balconies on the tallest minaret. The second-tallest minaret has only two.
It was built between 1437 and 1447 in a design halfway between the Seljuk Turkish-style mosques of Konya and Bursa and the truly Ottoman style, which would later reach its pinnacle in İstanbul. In the Seljuk style, smaller domes are mounted on square rooms, whereas here the 24m-wide dome is mounted on a hexagonal drum and supported by two walls and two massive hexagonal pillars. The designs under the domes and central şadırvan in the partially covered courty…
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B
Selimiye Camii
Great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan designed Edirne's grandest mosque (1569–75) for Sultan Selim II (r 1566–74). The mosque is smaller but more elegant than Sinan's Süleymaniye Camii in İstanbul, and it is said that he considered this to be his finest work. Lit up at night, the complex is a spectacular sight.
Enter the mosque through the courtyard to the west, as the architect intended, rather than through the terraced park or the subterranean row of shops to the south. You don't need to buy a plastic bag for your shoes from the ladies in the courtyard.
The broad, lofty dome – at 31.3m, marginally wider than that of İstanbul's Aya Sofya – is supported by eight unobtru…
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C
Muradiye Camii
A 15-minute walk northeast of Selimiye Mosque along Mimar Sinan Caddesi brings you to the Muradiye Mosque, built for Sultan Murat II and topped with an unusual cupola. Note the massive calligraphy on the exterior. Built between 1426 and 1436, it once housed a Mevlevi (whirling dervish) lodge. The mosque's T-shaped plan, with twin eyvans (vaulted halls) and fine İznik tiles, is reminiscent of Ottoman work in Bursa.
The small cemetery on the east side contains the grave of Şeyhülislăm Musa Kăzım Efendi, the Ottoman Empire's last chief Islamic judge, who fled the British occupation of İstanbul after WWI and died here in 1920.
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D
Eski Cami
The Old Mosque (1403–14) exemplifies one of the two classic mosque styles used by the Ottomans in their earlier capital, Bursa. Like Bursa's Ulu Cami, the Eski Cami has rows of arches and pillars supporting a series of small domes. Inside, there are striking red, white and black geometric patterns on the domes, and a marvellous mimber; huge calligraphic inscriptions cover the walls.
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